Brampton Instructor, Student Killed

A Brampton Flight Centre instructor and her student were killed last week when the Cessna 150 they were in crashed into Lake Huron Sept. 21.

Instructor Veronica Draghici, 37, of Brampton, and student Dr. Edward Grodecki, 62, of Oakville, were on a night flight training near Goderich Airport when the mishap occurred. The London Free Press reported that witnesses saw a small aircraft “in distress” at the time of the crash but didn’t describe the circumstances.

Grodecki, a well-known oral and jaw surgeon, was reportedly upgrading his skills so he could use his pilot licence to reach remote First Nations settlements to treat patients.

“He was everywhere. He just wanted to keep working and it wasn’t for the money. He wanted to just help as many people as he could,” colleague Rachel Wright told the newspaper.

Draghici had worked at Brampton Flight Centre for nine years and was described as a generous and helpful colleague who was also a proud wife and mother.

“Veronica was such an inspiration,” said colleague Nanci Soldo.

A GoFundMe account has been established and raised more than $35,000 by Thursday morning.